All My Loving (1968)

View from the Pop

By Jeffrey M. Anderson

Tony Palmer's 55-minute, made-for-TV documentary about "pop" music in 1967 is both an exciting time capsule as well as a fascinating -- and almost timeless -- comment on the form itself. The film features close-up performances by Jimi Hendrix ("Wild Thing"), Pink Floyd ("Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun"), The Who, Cream, Eric Burdon and Donovan, and interviews with Paul McCartney and Frank Zappa. The musicians talk about the potential of pop music, but also its limitations, while "square," establishment types talk about how terrible things are. The film even interviews an ear doctor who worries about the hearing of the young fans. Some of the predictions are dead-on; one manager foresees a Beatles stage musical, while others -- about world peace achieved through pop music -- are pie-in-the-sky. It's a well-balanced mix, and even despite the historical thrill of seeing Hendrix perform, it's actually an entertaining film in its own right. (The Roxie Cinema in San Francisco will be screening this film Monday, September 17 along with The Pink Floyd and Syd Barrett Story.)

DVD Details: MVD has released the film on DVD complete with a terrific audio mix, a new 40-minute interview with director Palmer and an amazing, bizarre gallery of Ralph Steadman drawings.